Rachel Pompano Mclaughlin
A passionate educator, Rachel has been a public school teacher for 22 years. She has a B.A. from JMU and a Master’s Degree in Education and Human Development from the George Washington University. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Japan and studied Art History in Florence, Italy.
Rachel loves drawing, painting, ceramics, gardening, playing piano, live music, reading, hiking, yoga, and spending time with family and friends. Rachel cares deeply about the environment and improving the educational system for youth.
She lives with her husband James, a musician and sound engineer, and her two dogs Jasmine and Sully.
Rachel taught Fine Arts at Charlottesville High School from 2009-2018 and ran the CCS ‘Parkside’ Post High program from 2018-2020. She also taught art locally at Walton Middle School and English at Murray High School. She currently teaches part-time as an Intervention teacher at Red Hill Elementary.
Since moving to Charlottesville in 2002, Rachel has been an active member of the Charlottesville Art community including being a member of Transient Crafters Artist Co-op from 2004-2009.
In addition, Rachel has provided numerous opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the Charlottesville area including starting a Creative Arts class at CHS for students with disabilities, serving as Asst. Director at Robin and Mani’s All Buddy Camp and working part-time for Charlottesville Adaptive Recreation as a Therapeutic Instructor since 2014. She was awarded the Mildred Spicer “Art Hero” award in 2021.
April 2, 2022 Ukraine “Sunflowers for Peace” workshop and fundraiser - we donated over $500 to Sunflower of Peace
Art in the Community
“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” - Vincent van Gogh
Art class at Charlottesville High School
Community Art murals - Charlottesville Womens March 2017
This art teacher knows how to have a good time (I’m the banana)
A Donors Choose funded project - HATE HAS NO HOME HERE -
letters painted by members of the CHS student community and proudly displayed in the CHS Guidance office.
Rachel at Tom Tom Festival with student artist Carmen (photo used with permission from Carmen)
Rachel served as Assistant Camp Director from 2015-2019 at Robin and Mani’s All Buddy Camp, a summer camp for 4-5 year olds with disabilities focused on art, music and community. The camp is held each year to honor the memory of Robin and Mani Aldridge. Mani was one of Rachel’s Creative Arts students.
Artwork by Rachel
“The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche